"The evil that men do" has been chronicled for thousands of years on the European stage, and perhaps nowhere else is human fear of our own evil more detailed than in its personifications in theater. In Stages of Evil, Robert Lima explores the sociohistorical implications of Christian and pagan representations of evil and the theatrical creativity that occultism has engendered. By examining examples of alchemy, astronomy, demonology, exorcism, fairies, vampires, witchcraft, hauntings, and voodoo in prominent plays, Stages of Evil explores American and European perceptions of occultism from medieval times to the modern age.

Robert Lima, professor emeritus of Spanish and comparative literatures at Pennsylvania State University, is the author of twenty-two books, including Dark Prisms: Occultism in Hispanic Drama, and numerous articles and translations.

Reviews:

"A fascinating study of the portrayal of the occult in drama. . . . Not only literary scholars but also theatrical companies that are mounting productions of these works will find this book invaluable. . . . Essential."--Choice

"Draws on an unusually wide range of background materials to make an important and original contribution to the scholarship of the drama."--Stanton J. Linden, author Darke Hierogliphicks: Alchemy in English Literature from Chaucer to the Restoration